Publicity surrounding celebrity pervert's crimes has led to a surge in demand for counselling services

Lisa Thompson, service development officer for the Rape And Sexual Violence Project

A cash-strapped charity for rape victims in Birmingham is calling for donations in a bid to cope with a surge in demand for its help in the wake of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

The Rape & Sexual Violence Project (RSVP), based in the city centre, saw a staggering 144 per cent rise in the number of victims wanting counselling in the first month alone after the media reported allegations that the Jim’ll Fix It presenter had abused hundreds of children.

Chief
Executive of the charity Lisa Thompson said: “As a result, although we offer counselling seven days a week, we need to expand our counselling team even more to meet the increasing demand.”

However,
the charity – which helps victims aged 13 and over – needs to raise £100,000 in the next financial year to keep up its current services as some of its funding is set to come to an end.

“We
want more of the public to know about how we support and inspire women,
men and children, to live a future with hope and confidence after rape and sexual abuse,” said Lisa. “We are always delighted to receive support from businesses, individuals and groups, they are a great source
of help in our quest to raise our profile and funds.”

Disgraced celebrity and serial abuser Sir Jimmy Savile

Six Eight kafé, a coffee shop in the city centre’s Temple Row, has already pledged to raise cash for the charity.

It will be selling crafts all made by rape and sexual abuse victims in aid of RSVP from 10am until 5pm on Thursday.

The
news comes after a joint report by Scotland Yard and the NSPCC released
last month revealed 450 victims were potentially abused by kids’ TV star Savile.

The monster used his celebrity status to “hide in plain sight”, with 214 criminal offences now recorded against him across 28 police forces, said the document.

* To donate to RSVP visit www.rsvporg.co.uk, or text RSVP30 and the amount you want to give to 70070.

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